2026 Grammy nominations revealed: Kendrick Lamar leads with 9 nods, Lady Gaga ties 2nd

Kendrick Lamar has secured a commanding lead for the 2026 Grammy Awards. The acclaimed rapper earned nine nominations, the most of any artist this year. The announcement was made on Friday, November 7, 2025.

Lady Gaga followed closely with seven nominations for her dance-pop comeback. The nominations highlight a year of powerful releases across hip-hop, pop, and Latin music.

A Closer Look at the Major Categories

Kendrick Lamar’s album “GNX” is nominated for Album of the Year. His track “luther” featuring SZA is up for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. This brings his career total to an impressive 66 Grammy nominations.

Lady Gaga’s album “MAYHEM” also earned an Album of the Year nod. Her hit single “Abracadabra” is competing in the Record of the Year category. According to the Recording Academy, the nominations reflect a diverse and dynamic year in music.

Bad Bunny received six nominations for his album “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”. Pop stars Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber each garnered five nominations. Producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut tied with Lady Gaga at seven nods each.

What This Means for the Music Industry

The 2026 nominations signal hip-hop’s continued dominance at the awards. Lamar’s sweep comes just one year after his five-win triumph at the 2025 ceremony. His work continues to define the cultural conversation.

Lady Gaga’s strong showing marks a triumphant return to her dance-pop roots. The nominations also spotlight the growing influence of Latin and global music. New categories for Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover have expanded the awards’ scope.

For emerging artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan, these nominations represent critical breakthroughs. The recognition often leads to significant career momentum and wider audience reach.

The 2026 Grammy nominations have set the stage for a fiercely competitive awards ceremony. Kendrick Lamar’s historic nine nods place him at the center of this year’s narrative. The music world will be watching closely on February 1, 2026.

Thought you’d like to know

When are the 2026 Grammy Awards?

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2026. It will take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The event will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+.

Who is nominated for Best New Artist?

The Best New Artist category includes Olivia Dean, KATSYUE, and The Marias. It also features Addison Rae, sombr, and Leon Thomas. Alex Warren and Lola Young round out the nominees.

How many Grammy nominations does Kendrick Lamar now have?

With these nine new nominations, Kendrick Lamar now has 66 career Grammy nominations. He has previously won 22 Grammy awards. This makes him one of the most nominated artists in Grammy history.

Which producers received the most nominations?

Producers Jack Antonoff and Cirkut each received seven nominations. This ties them with Lady Gaga for the second-most nominations this year. Their work appears across multiple albums and records.

Are there any new categories this year?

Yes, the Recording Academy introduced two new categories for the 2026 awards. These are Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover. The additions reflect the evolving nature of music presentation.